Pakistan International Airlines Plane Crashes in Karachi

Pakistan International Airlines flight carrying 91 passengers and 8 crew members on board crashed over a residential colony near the Jinnah International Airport in Karachi on Friday afternoon. The flight was on its way to Karachi from Lahore.

The extent of damage or loss of life is still unknown, but soon after the news of the crash broke, details about the passengers onboard were released on social media.

The provincial health minister said at least 11 people had died, but a far higher toll is feared. At least two passengers are confirmed survivors.

The pilot had reported loss of engines

TV footage showed rescue crews combing through debris strewn across the streets of Model Colony, 3.2km (two miles) north-east of the airport. A number of houses have been destroyed.

The plane had lost contact with air traffic control just after 14:30 local time (09:30 GMT), an airline spokesman said.

The cause of the crash is yet to be confirmed. PIA chief executive Air Vice Marshal Arshad Malik said the pilot had told traffic control that the plane was experiencing “technical difficulties”.

In it the pilot says they have “lost two engines”. Several seconds later he calls “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday” and there is no further communication.

Bank of Punjab president was among the passengers and had survived the crash, a Sindh provincial government spokesman said. The other survivor was named as Muhammad Zubair.